"It is very good of you about the chancel," said Vera, softly, breaking the embarrassment of the silence between them.
"You knew I should do it," he said, looking at her.
She smiled. "I thought perhaps you would."
"You know why I am going to do it—for whose sake, do you not?" he pursued, still keeping his eyes upon her downcast face.
"Because it is the right thing to do, I hope; and for the sake of doing good," she answered, sedately; and Sir John felt immediately reproved and rebuked, as though by the voice of an angelic being.
"Tell me," he said, presently, "is it true that they want you to marry—that parson—Gisburne, of Tripton? Forgive me for asking."
Vera coloured a little and laughed.
"What dreadful things little boys are!" was all she said.
"Nay, but I want to know. Are you—are you engaged to him?" with a sudden painful eagerness of manner.
"Most decidedly I am not," she answered, earnestly.